Neiman Marcus store gets OK from 71% of Walnut Creek voters

Voters in Walnut Creek overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that will make way for developers to build a Neiman Marcus store in the city's downtown Broadway Plaza area, according to complete unofficial election results.

Measure I amends the city's general plan and zoning ordinance to allow the two-story department store to be built on the corner of South Main Street and Mount Diablo Boulevard.

A development agreement that was part of the measure requires the developer to provide street and intersection improvements and financial contributions toward parking and transportation improvements, but allows the developer to meet the city's parking requirements with an employee-only parking lot while doubling the square footage currently permitted for the site.

Proponents of the measure claim that the new store will bring additional sales tax revenue to the city, improve parking and safety for drivers and pedestrians in the downtown area and create new jobs in the community.

Opponents argued that the new store would exacerbate traffic and parking problems in the already congested downtown area.

More than 71 percent of voters approved the measure, which required a majority vote to pass.